January 11, 2018 (Rupholding, Germany) – Canada’s Rosanna Crawford, 29, nailed a career-best third landing on the podium in the women’s 15km individual start for the first time ever also delivering a perfect score on the range, another first for the Canmore, Alta. biathlete.

Crawford was 21.2 seconds behind winner Dorothea Wierer (ITA), who shot clean as well. Kaisa Makarainen (FIN) took second with one penalty at 12.7 seconds behind.

“I knew everyone’s eyes were on me in the last two shootings. Everyone was cheering for me; I have never experienced that before,” Crawford told biathlonworld.com.

“I am so excited; my fist podium and the first time hitting 20-for-20 as well. I really love Ruhpolding; it was my first World Juniors and my first World Cup and now my first podium so it is a very special place for me.”

American Susan Dunklee posted the fastest ski time on the opening loop but suffered three penalties to finish 27th at 3:02.7 behind Wierer.

Canada’s Julia Ransom was 34th with two penalties at 3:35.0 followed by teammate Sarah Beaudry in 53rd at  4:18.6 also with two missed targets. American Clare Egan was 57th at 4:26.3 with three penalties while Canadian Emma Lunder was 67th with four penalties at 5:21.7 behind the winner

The BMW IBU World Cup 5 continues on Friday with the men’s 4×7.5km relay.

Results

1. Dorothea Wierer (ITA) 41:29.0/+0
2. Kaisa Makarainen (FIN) +12.7/+1
3. Rosanna Crawford (CAN) +21.2/+0

27. Susan Dunklee (USA) +3:02.7/+3
34. Julia Ransom (CAN) +3:35.0/+2
53. Sarah Beaudry (CAN) +4:18.6/+2
57. Clare Egan (USA) +4:26.3/+3
67. Emma Lunder (CAN) +5:21.7/+4

Full results here.